How to Apologize

February 15, 2021
Grades 1-4 With applicability well beyond its reading level, this latest outing from the creators of See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog (2020) and other clever romps focuses on the importance of apologizing for accidents or offenses and how to do it properly. Wohnoutka lightens the earnest tone of LaRochelle's pitch with comical scenes of anthropomorphic cartoon animals either caught in embarrassing faux pas--a penguin parachutist literally dropping in on a crocodile in a bathtub, for instance--or expressing remorse, both sincerely ("I'm sorry I borrowed your socks without permission," says a giraffe to an earthworm) and insincerely. Along with rightly acknowledging that it might be hard, or even impossible, to fix mistakes (though an offender can make efforts to ensure that they don't happen again), the author closes with a promise that saying sorry and meaning it will make you and, more important, the other person feel better. Pair this with Joanna Cotler's Sorry (Really Sorry), illustrated by Harry Bliss (2020), for an unapologetically uplifting storytime.

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Starred review from March 15, 2021
A primer on contrition. "Everyone makes mistakes," opens this guide to accountability. Every page shows a different situation in which someone owes another an apology: when a penguin parachutes into an alligator's bathroom during bathtime, when student politicians trade jabs, when a giraffe has borrowed a worm's socks without asking, or when a chicken breaks a goat's violin. All the characters are soft-edged anthropomorphic animals: a taunting hyena, a snail speeding past a sloth, two ancient tortoises. In Wohnoutka's light gouache illustrations, the many full-bleed spreads and careful use of white space keep the tone friendly and focused. Without ever feeling preachy or prescriptive, the calm, even, nonjudgmental tone reminds readers that "apologizing can be hard," but it's important to be sincere and simple without making excuses. The perfect balance of humor and gravity delivers the message in an appealing way, and even the most outlandish scenarios are accessible. Most of the scenes are entire little stories in and of themselves while a couple have slightly longer resolutions. Children and adults alike can see themselves in both the aggrieved party and the wrongdoer, all presented with understanding and compassion. Equally useful as a lesson on social-emotional dynamics and as a story, this book has a place on every shelf. A necessary and entertaining approach to conflict resolution. (Picture book. 4-8)

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December 18, 2020

PreS-K-In direct and informative text, readers learn that "everyone makes mistakes," and in those cases, "the right thing to do is apologize." Suggestions for how and why to apologize paired with colorful, cartoon-style illustrations outlined in soft brown lighten the instructional tone by featuring hilarious examples of situations requiring an apology. A goggled, parachuting penguin crashes through the roof of a horrified bathing gator. A grumpy steak-grilling bulldog is interrupted by the downed kite of his bespectacled cat neighbor. The text points out that apologizing may be hard, but it is important because it makes everyone involved feel better. Humorous examples of sincere and insincere apologies drive the messages home, while the illustrations continue to provide comic relief as reparation and restoration of relationships are achieved. Mostly full-bleed spreads paired with emotive animals will be met with laughs. VERDICT Straightforward text combined with funny illustrations make for an instructive primer on how to apologize. Children will delight in the hilarious animal antics while absorbing the explanatory lesson without didacticism.-Ramarie Beaver, formerly at Plano P.L., TX

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 29, 2021
Previous collaborators LaRochelle and Wohnoutka (Geisel Medalists for See the Cat) are loving but firm in this compassionate guide to apologizing. “Everyone makes mistakes,” they begin. “And when you’ve made a mistake... the right thing to do is apologize.” The creators acknowledge that saying “sorry” can be difficult (“especially if the other person is mad”), but they don’t let offending parties off the hook, either—not even the adorable penguin parachutist who has crashed through the roof of a shocked alligator’s bathroom. Straightforward narration underlines the importance of sincerity without excuses even if the one you’ve offended “owes you an apology too” (rambling examples of what not do make great readalouds). The gouache cartooned vignettes, rendered in crisp outlines and soft washes of color, have immediacy and verve that’s both harrowing and heartfelt; while the animal characters are engaged in amusingly exaggerated situations, both parties’ emotions are thoroughly authentic. If readers feel the pang of recognition, they’ll also see that making amends is both edifying and evergreen. Ages 3–7.